The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Photo of DVD cover taken by Kate Dorsey

    There are some films and series that just stick with me. The Hobbit Trilogy is one of them.

    In many ways, why I am stuck on The Hobbit doesn’t make sense. I’m not a big fantasy person. I tried to read both the book and the graphic novel, unable to finish either one. So how can I watch this trilogy over and over again? Well, a lot of good-looking men help. But I have a feeling it has more to do with the story.             

    Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is perfectly happy living a quiet life in the Shire. It is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. Or so he thinks.

    The wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) makes Bilbo question what he really wants. He shows up out of the blue, looking for his adventurous friend from years before. There is a mission Gandalf wants Bilbo to go on. While Bilbo repeatedly denies he is the person for the job, Gandalf is certain Bilbo is exactly the one he needs.

    Undeterred by Bilbo’s protests, Gandalf puts a mark on Bilbo’s door, signifying his house is where a troop of dwarves should meet. He does this without Bilbo’s knowledge, making it a big surprise for him when dwarves begin to show up at his door.

    The dwarves come to Bilbo’s house, eat his food, and make a mess. Throughout this, Bilbo has zero idea why any of them are there. Even when Gandalf shows up the reason for the visit remains a mystery. It is only when Thorin Oakenshield II (Richard Armitage), the dwarf meant to be king, arrives that anything begins to be explained.

The Oak-n-Shield
Artwork by Kate Dorsey

    Thorin and the rest of the dwarf troop are on a mission to reclaim their home in the Lonely Mountain. It is currently being occupied by a dragon named Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). Once they reach the mountain, they need Bilbo to act as a burglar and steal a jewel called the Arkenstone, from right under Smaug’s nose. This is the job Gandalf wants Bilbo to do.

    At first Bilbo flat-out refuses. It would mean leaving home and going on an extremely long trek. Not something he wants to do. Until he wakes up the next morning and finds his house spotless and everyone gone.

    His mind changed, Bilbo packs a bag and rushes to catch up with the group. Some are glad to see Bilbo has joined the journey. Thorin is not one of them. He has huge doubts about Bilbo.

    The journey to the Lonely Mountain is long, dangerous, and eventful. Bilbo and the dwarves are almost eaten by trolls. They secretly dash out on the hospitality of elves who do not believe the journey is a good idea. Goblins capture all the dwarves, but not Bilbo, which leads to a battle. Then there is another battle with a group of orcs.

    Some of these situations are not the troop’s fault. They just happen. Other times they play a part. Such as the situation with the trolls. Had the dwarves Fili (Dean O'Gorman) and Kili (Aidan Turner) paid more attention to the horses, the horses would not have gotten away. The horses then would not have been rounded up by the trolls. Bilbo would not have been sent to save them. And well, you can probably see where this is going. Had the horses been minded better, the incident with the trolls probably would not have happened.

    Many of the dwarves have a hard time keeping serious; as can be seen with the horse situation. That is not a problem for Thorin who is serious all the time. He’s also cranky, but more astute than many of the other dwarves. When Bilbo tries to convince the trolls the dwarves are infested with worms, there are huge objections. It is Thorin who understands Bilbo is only saying this to keep the dwarves from being eaten. He has to kick this (literally) into the other dwarves to get them to change their complaints to agreement, giving themselves longer to live.

    Despite this, Bilbo and Thorin continue to have a bad relationship. Thorin repeatedly complains about Bilbo, saying he is a burden and should never have come. When Bilbo is missing after the goblin battle, Thorin is convinced Bilbo has taken off.

    Now, to give Thorin a little leeway, he did hear Bilbo say he was going to leave. But anyways, no matter what, Thorin thinks the worst of Bilbo. Little does he know, during the goblin battle, Bilbo was in the middle of a riddle battle with Gollum (Andy Serkis), a creature obsessed with a particular ring. One that causes all sorts of problems. But that’s another trilogy.

    During the riddle battle, Bilbo is able to escape with the ring. He’s discovered that when he puts it on, he becomes invisible. It is how he gets away from Gollum, and how he is able to hear Thorin’s declarations about him without being seen.

    Once Bilbo makes his presence known, Thorin must eat his words. Very shortly after, Bilbo saves Thorin’s life. After this, Thorin sees Bilbo in an entirely new way. Which is good, because they have a lot more journey to go.

    I originally saw this trilogy either on DVD or in the theatres (it depended on the film). Since then, I have watched it who knows how many times on TV. Now I am watching the Blu-Ray extended editions. With these I am finding all sorts of parts I have never seen before, such as a conversation between Bilbo and the elf Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving). As well as some unseen musical numbers. An odd statement for a film that is most definitely not a musical.

    With The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey watched, I have two more films to go. I am excited to see what other new scenes and moments I’m going to come upon. In many ways, despite watching these films as much as I have, with the extended editions, I feel I am watching these films for the first time all over again. 

The Hobbit Trilogy: Extended Edition
Photo of trilogy box cover taken by Kate Dorsey